did you take your practice tests including or excluding both the essays?

I tell students that if it felt easy, you probably missed something and didn't do very well. The GMAT adapts to your ability, so it should always seem hard.

Anyway, I will ask the same question: did you do the essays on your practice tests? It's a totally different experience taking the exam with and without the essays.

Did you have lots of time left on verbal? You said it felt easy. Having lots of time left is a huge mistake unless you're scoring 99th percentile. Slow down and analyze the problems better.

Did you have problems with any specific sections (e.g., sentence correction) on your practice tests?

I gave the last two practice tests (in the same week of the real test) with the essays. MGMAT - 700 and GMAT Prep - 750.

I had problems in sentence correction and CR (on and off, especially if I rushed myself). I was able to improve on SC with practice but till the end I always got like 4-6 questions wrong in both SC and CR and 1-3 in RC. I told myself to focus more since all mistakes seemed to be like lazy mistakes, which, if I had paid attention, I wouldn't have made...

Thanks for replying guys... any suggestions are helpful.

I believe that you could have scored 700+, if you had stayed calmer.

First of all, it seems like you know your math and you were scoring 51 on MGMAT's! - Now that's impressive!

And in the real deal, you scored 49..which kind of tells me that you started the test with a little bit stress. And yes when the GMAT feels like a breeze, you are not getting by hit 700+ questions and even tough you feel that you are doing great...you are actually not..

By the way 680+good application can get you any school in the world. I would only re-take it if I really needed a 700+ score. A high score can not close the other gaps but a low score can put you out of the game.

Good luck!